Samsung Electronics and Microsoft have started taking pre-orders for the new Microsoft Surface, a table-top product featuring multi-touch functionality aimed at business and education.

Unveiled earlier in the year, the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface features PixelSense technology, giving the LCD panels "the power to see without the use of cameras".

Featuring a 40-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1080, the Surface makes it possible for groups of people to share, interact and collaborate on the touchscreen.

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The product, powered by an Athlon X2 Dual-core processor and AMD HD6750M graphics chip, recognises up to 50 points of simultaneous touch, including fingers, hands and other objects placed on the screen.

The Surface, aimed primarily at businesses and educational institutions, is available for pre-order now through Samsung resellers and the Samsung website in 23 countries, including the UK.

The US price is understood to be $8,400, while TechRadar reports that the Samsung SUR40 will be available in the UK for a hefty £7,499 plus VAT.

"Customers across a wide range of industries currently integrate Microsoft Surface and make it relevant to their business needs, creating immersive, collaborative and meaningful experiences," said Somanna Palacanda, the director of Microsoft Surface.

"With the Samsung SUR40 available for pre-order in 23 countries worldwide, Surface computing will now be more readily available for education, financial and professional services, healthcare, hospitality, retail, manufacturing and resources, and other commercial business environments to help deliver interactive digital content, drive sales, showcase brands, and increase customer satisfaction and loyalty."

Samsung Electronics vice president Charles Park added: "This pre-order phase brings us one step closer to getting the highly-anticipated Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface into the hands of our customers.

"The Samsung SUR40 delivers a unique interactive experience that will significantly change the way companies engage with their customers."

The Samsung SUR40 was handed a 2011 'Best of What's New' award by Popular Science magazine earlier this week. Dassault Aviation, Fujifilm Corp. and Royal Bank of Canada are among the firms prepared to deploy the product around the world in early 2012.